Pheromones 101 – A Guide To Scent and Sexual Attraction

Pheromones are a hot topic in the dating world, and for good reason – they have the potential to make you more attractive to the opposite sex. Whether you’re single or in a relationship, it sounds like a dream come true, and you’re probably interested in picking up a bottle of pheromone cologne or perfume to experience the effects yourself.

But before you buy anything, you should know more about how and why sex pheromones work. What’s the science behind scent and sexual attraction, and what can you expect to happen when you use a pheromone product? All of these topics and more will be covered in this guide.

What Are Pheromones?

Pheromones are chemicals released by an organism that trigger a social response in members of the same species – for example, cats release pheromones to mark their territory, and ants use them to alert the rest of the colony to threats.

But you’re probably reading this guide because you’re interested in human sex pheromones, the chemicals that attract members of your preferred sex. Human pheromones are notoriously more difficult for scientists to study than animal pheromones, which is why you’ll find so much debate on the subject. But while it might not be 100% clear how these substances work yet, dozens of case studies have confirmed their powerful effects.

How Do Pheromones Work?

The body releases pheromones in several different ways. In humans, this is primarily through our sweat and urine – doesn’t sound too sexy, does it? But tens of thousands of years ago when we were still living in caves and hunting with sticks, that’s how we communicated our sexual needs and desires. Today, thankfully, we can use pheromone colognes instead.

In most mammals, these bodily scents are detected by the vomeronasal organ, or VNO. Humans have a VNO, but scientists still argue over whether it’s the VNO or some other olfactory sensor that picks up the scent. But no matter how we sense them, numerous studies have proven that pheromones trigger a reaction in the brain that heightens our arousal.

Pheromones work on a subconscious level. You don’t notice the smell, but you feel the effects, which can include:

Being more sexually attractive to the opposite sex

Increased confidence

More passion in the bedroom

Making the opposite sex more comfortable around you

More respect from members of the same sex

Types of Pheromones

How do you know what type of pheromone cologne or perfume to use? A good place to start is knowing the different types of compounds and what they do. There are four main types of pheromones, all starting with the word “andro-“, which comes from the Greek word for “man” or “masculine”.

If you do decide to purchase a pheromone cologne or perfume, you’ll definitely want to keep this part of the guide handy – the individual molecules have extremely similar names, but they all do something completely different for the wearer.

Androstenone

The main sexual hormone, androstenone has been linked to causing arousal in women. High concentrations of this molecule can cause you to be perceived as intimidating, so if you want to increase your attractiveness to women, less is more.

Androsterone

This molecule, sometimes called the “respect” pheromone, causes others to perceive you as more mature and charismatic. It goes hand in hand with androstenone to create a scent that draws women in and keeps them interested in you.

Androstadienone

Found most often in colognes and perfumes intended for those in long-term relationships, androstadienone increases feelings of intimacy and comfort. A high concentration of this molecule is recommended for married couples who want to make their relationship feel like new again.

Androstenol

Last but not least, androstenol is the conversation starter of pheromones. A cologne infused with this molecule makes the wearer easier to approach and strike up a conversation with. It helps people perceive you as more friendly and outgoing.

Can Pheromones Really Make You More Attractive?

The short answer is yes. For decades, scientists have debated the effectiveness of human pheromones, but there’s a growing amount of evidence to suggest that they do indeed play a role in the way we perceive others. Experiments have proven time and time again that sex pheromones trigger an arousal response in the brain. While the jury is still out on exactly how we sense and perceive these chemical signals, there’s no doubt that we are in fact affected by them.

Of course, pheromones are limited in what they can do – after all, there’s no such thing as a magic love potion. Wearing a scented cologne might make you more attractive to women, but it won’t change who you are, your actions, fix damaged relationships, or make every woman in the room want to sleep with you. You still have to make the effort to socialize and act on a woman’s feelings of attraction. Think of pheromones as something that can enhance the good qualities you already have, not a way to make yourself something that you’re not.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between natural and synthetic pheromones?

The synthetic pheromones used to make colognes and perfumes function in the exact same way as natural pheromones – they just come from a different source. Why do we make synthetic products when we release them naturally? Our natural pheromones are released through our sweat, and we wash them off every day in the shower – so unless you want to sweat and smell like you haven’t showered in a week, synthetic sprays are probably your best bet.

Can women use sex pheromones to make themselves more attractive to men?

Yes! Women can also benefit from using sex pheromone perfumes. Products high in androstenol increase a woman’s attractiveness to the men around her.

Do pheromones work for people who are bisexual/gay?

Yes – a recent study has proven that sex pheromones increase your attraction to your preferred gender. The masculine hormone androstadienone has the same effect on gay men as it has on straight women, and the feminine hormone estratetraenol has a similar effect on straight men. The study found that sex pheromones had very little effect on gay women’s attraction to other women.

How much cologne or perfume should I use?

Some people mistakenly believe that the more they put on, the more attractive they’ll appear, but this is simply not the case. Using too much of a pheromone spray can actually make social interactions more difficult, so it’s important that you find your “sweet spot”. For most men, this is just one or two spritzes or drops, usually on the neck, jawline, or crook of the elbow. You’ll have to experiment a little to find out what works best for you.

Is using pheromones “cheating”?

Some people worry that using pheromones are unethical because they’re “tricking” someone into liking them. But remember that these products can’t force anyone to do anything that they don’t want to do – they may influence feelings, but they can’t change behavior.

Can I use pheromone cologne with my regular cologne?

Yes, wearing your usual cologne or perfume with your pheromone scent will not make the pheromones any less effective. In fact, it might even make them more effective – if a woman is drawn to the scent of your regular cologne, she’ll also get a whiff of your pheromone cologne.

How long do pheromones last?

Unless you wash them off, pheromone sprays typically stay on your body for four to six hours, but they can linger on your clothing for several days.